OSU offers a variety of mental health services on campus

Monday, October 31, 2016

America’s Healthiest Campus is a national leader in wellness, which includes mental health services for students, employees and others through University Counseling Services, a Counseling and Counseling Psychology Clinic, the Psychological Services Center, the Center of Family Services, and ComPsych GuidanceResources.

"Sadly, people are prone to neglect the importance of mental health," Ashley Hadwiger, a counseling intern, said. "They often think of illness as someone being sick, they think of physical symptoms. However, your mental health can affect your body and much more, it can affect your grades and how you do things."

University Counseling Services

University Counseling Services offers counseling to students in areas ranging from stress management to substance abuse or grief counseling. The first four sessions are free. There is a $10 fee for each additional appointment. Students can attend up to 12 sessions in a school year, and should the student need further assistance, the counselors will recommend another provider

University Counseling Services focuses on proactive outreach programs and education as well as individual counseling. In the last year alone, more than 1,400 students sought and received counseling from University Counseling Services.

"It's important that mental health services are available here, and that they’re becoming more and more accepted across the country," Trever Richardson, interim director of University Counseling Services, said. "I think the stigma for mental health treatment is slowly going down, which is a good thing. I think people are more willing to get treatment."

University Counseling Services (320 Student Union, 405-744-5472)

Reboot Center

In addition to counseling in the main office, University Counseling offers assistance in Student Disability Services as well as stress management in the Reboot Center. The Reboot Center is located on the third floor of the Student Union and provides tools for students to see and manage their stress level. The center consists of four stations where individuals can see the rate of their heart beat and learn how to control it through online programs and games.

"I always tell clients to look at it like a business transaction," Richardson said. "You're coming here, you're paying tuition, you're paying fees so you have certain resources at your disposal, and if this is a resource that is going to help you meet your goals... please utilize it.

Psychological Services Center

The Psychological Services Center provides services to children, adolescents, and adults in the Stillwater area as well as OSU students and employees. The PSC offers a variety of psychological services including but not limited to: individual, couples, family and group therapy and assessments for learning disabilities, ADHD, emotional/behavioral problems, autism and other developmental disabilities. Initial appointments are $10, and therapy sessions are calculated on a sliding scale, based on income, with fees starting at $10 per session. Fees for assessments are also based on a sliding scale and range from $150-$1,000. OSU students pay a standard fee of $250 for assessments. The staff is comprised of doctoral students in the clinical psychology training program and are supervised by Clinical Psychologists in the Department of Psychology. The center is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Psychological Services Center (118 North Murray, 405-744-5975)

Counseling and Counseling Psychology Clinic

The Counseling and Counseling Psychology Clinic is another resource. It’s a training clinic for graduate students and counseling interns that provides services to students as well as members of the Stillwater community. The Clinic offers counseling for depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, trauma, mood swings as well as many other related issues. Students receive the first five sessions for free. Additional appointments cost $10. For members of the community, counseling fees are based on a sliding scale, similar to that used in the Psychological Services Center. OSU faculty and employees are eligible for further reduced rates. In addition to counseling, the clinic focuses on outreach events and providing students with psychoeducation. The clinic is open Monday-Friday.

"As counselors, we look at health as holistic—not just your physical health but your mental health as well—and it's very difficult to have one without the other," Hadwiger said.

Counseling and Counseling Psychology Clinic (111 Public Information Office, 405-744-3287)

Center for Family Services

For students in need of family or couples therapy, the Center for Family Services provides sessions conducted by graduate students in marriage and family therapy. Therapists in training are supervised by clinical faculty members. The center focuses on solving problems within relationships and understanding roles within a relationship or family. The facility is open to all individuals, couples and families in Stillwater. The cost is determined on a sliding scale, based on income. Appointments and fees range from $5-$75.

Center for Family Services (101 Human Environmental Sciences West, 405-744-5058)

ComPsych and GuidanceResources

Confidential cost-free counseling is available to OSU employees through ComPsych and GuidanceResources. Employees are able to utilize this program for six free visits related to each mental health issue. Licensed guidance counselors listen to concerns and refer individuals to in-person counseling or other resources. In addition to counseling services and GuidanceResources online, financial information, legal support, work-life solutions, and health coaching services are offered to employees. These resources enable individuals to maintain a balance of work and personal life through support, resources and information.

ComPsych/ Guidance Resources (855- 850- 2397 or www.guidanceresources.com)

Story by Cassidy Williams